Let’s get this straight — planning a Tirupati Balaji darshan sounds like a spiritual experience, but the planning part? Not so much.
When I started looking into it, I realized there’s no single place that gives you clear, complete, and simple information — especially if you’re living abroad and used to easy websites and smoother systems. So, I thought: Why not just write a no-nonsense blog for my friends, family, and fellow NRIs who want to do this right? And here we are.
I’m going to talk specifically about the Srivani Darshan, because that’s the one I did — and let me just say upfront — it’s totally worth it.
What is Srivani Darshan?
Srivani Darshan is like the first-class ticket of Tirupati. You donate ₹10,000 per person to the Srivani Trust, and pay an additional ₹500 per person for the darshan ticket. The trust funds free food and services for devotees — so your money supports a good cause too.
Here’s why I say this is the best darshan:
- You get super close to Balaji — within 6 feet. You can actually pause and pray for a few seconds.
- It’s calm and organized. Since it’s expensive, the number of people is lower, and they don’t mix it with other ticket types. Nobody pushing you. Nobody yelling. It’s peaceful.
- Free accommodation in guesthouses right next to the temple if there are two or more people booked together. That saves you a good few thousand rupees in hotel costs.
- Free laddu. (Though, let’s be real — every darshan gives you at least one.)
- You’re done by noon. Most Srivani slots are around 10 AM. You finish by 12:30 PM — perfect for catching an afternoon return flight.
Why Not NRI Darshan?
A lot of folks ask this. My answer is simple: NRI status doesn’t mean what it used to. Every other person and their cousin is an NRI nowadays, and the system is just as crowded. The NRI darshan ticket is ₹300, and let’s just say, the experience reflects the price.
I was told you don’t even get close to Balaji — forget the peacefulness of Srivani. So yeah… thanks, but no thanks.
How to Buy Srivani Darshan Tickets
How to Book Srivani Darshan Tickets
There are three ways to get these tickets. You must have your Identification with you. For NRIs, passport is the best identification.
1. Online (Plan Ahead!)
Go to the official website at least 3-4 months in advance. But here’s the catch — you need an Indian mobile number to register. (Yes, seriously.)
The dropdown to change the country code is frozen on +91. OTPs go only to Indian numbers. This is one reason why I didn’t book online.
2. At the Tirupati Airport
They sell a total of 100-200 Srivani tickets daily at Tirupati airport. But they get snatched up before noon, so if your flight lands after 1 PM, don’t count on this. Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports sell regular darshan tickets but NOT the Srivani Darshan tickets.
Important: Tickets are always for the next day darshan — not the same day.
3. In Person at JE Office on Tirumala Hill (What I Did)
This is five minutes from the temple, on the actual hill. They sell 800 Srivani Darshan tickets every day.
🚨 Be there by 6:30 AM. The counter opens at 8am, but the line starts way before that. Don’t believe anyone (taxi driver, locals, etc.) who says “Line is short. No need to go early.” Not worth the risk.
Also — No cash. No international cards. Only Indian debit/credit cards or Google Pay (on an Indian number!). I didn’t have either, but guess what? Kind souls in line, including my driver, offered to help and paid for me. India can be magical like that.
You’ll get two receipts — one for ₹10,000 and another for ₹500. Keep both. Take clear photos of them, just in case you lose them. The big colored receipt is your actual darshan pass.
How to Get Free Accommodation
Right after buying your Srivani ticket, head to the counter in the next building and ask for the accommodation voucher. You’ll get this only if more than one person is listed on the booking, and all of you are present with ID. They’ll verify your ID, donation, and stamp your ticket.
Where to Stay (If You’re Going Solo)
Tirupati has tons of hotels. I stayed at Hotel Ramcharan Residency — basic but super clean. ₹2200 a night. There are bunch of similar hotels there. The staff was polite, and the food was good too. I had two rotis and a mushroom curry for ₹200. Just look at the reviews and star ratings before booking a hotel. You get a better deal when you call the hotel and book compared to services like Expedia, Make My Trip, etc.
Also had a great meal at A2B Restaurant — you can eat well for ₹150–200. Honestly, restaurants outside hotels are usually cheaper and tastier.
The Day of Darshan
Get to the temple an hour before your darshan appointment time. Ask any volunteer for the Srivani line. People will be waiting around somewhat scattered until someone loudly calls out to form the queue (about 15 minutes before your slot).
Even though there are about 1,000 people, this is considered the “short line” — and it is, given that 100,000+ people visit the temple daily!
You’ll need:
- Your ID
- Your tickets
- No phones allowed (leave them at the guesthouse or deposit inside)
Once you enter, the volunteers keep shouting “Govinda!” and everyone repeats — it feels powerful.
You walk through winding paths for 15-20 mins before you reach holding rooms (think mini movie theaters). They divide the crowd into batches of ~200. Restrooms are right across.
Here’s the cool part — they feed you. Hot Pongal, coffee, and milk. Unlimited, and absolutely divine.
After 30-40 minutes, your group is released to join the final line. That’s when it gets real. After a few turns, suddenly you’re face-to-face with Balaji.
People cry. You might too. I couldn’t even say what I planned to say. It just felt… otherworldly.
🍬 How Many Laddoos to Buy?
Okay, now for the big question everyone asks — how many laddoos should I bring back?
There are two sizes available:
- Small ladoo – ₹50 each
- Large ladoo – ₹200 each
My recommendation- skip the large ones. The small ones are plenty big — about the size of a cricket ball and weigh close to half a kilo (1 pound). I bought 10 small ones, and that was perfect for distributing to friends and family.
Here’s how I approached it: one ladoo per family. That felt generous, especially since this is the only prasad you bring back. These ladoos are not just sweets — they’re rich, divine portions made with pure ghee and dry fruits. These laddoos’ life is not more than a couple of days at room temperature, so keep that in mind too. Half a laddoo is enough for sharing if you’re giving it out to a lot of people.
Taxi Recommendation
I lucked out with my driver — Chaitanya. Truly one of the nicest humans I’ve met. He took me around both days (ticket day and darshan day), waited, helped with errands, dropped me to the airport, a good six to eight our of service — all for ₹2500 on each day.
Call him ahead at +91 9701991749 and tell him I sent you. He’ll treat you like family.
What to Wear
- Women: Saree.
- Men: Dhoti and shirt. I got a good Velcro dhoti for ₹700 — comfy and traditional South Indian style. Chaitanya took me to a shop and help me negotiate, pick a good quality dhoti, shirt and gumchha and asked the shopkeeper to take me to trial room too.
Things That Might Confuse You
- Indian Mobile Number Required Online. This is frustrating, especially when Indian engineers power half the tech in the world!
- Terminology Confusion. Don’t get misled by “VIP Darshan.” It’s not Srivani. Always use the term you are there for Srivani darshan, no other terminology.
Final Thoughts
Tirupati Balaji Darshan — especially Srivani — is truly one of the most soul-stirring experiences you can have. If you open your heart and surrender your deepest worries, Balaji listens. I’ve experienced it.
So go. Plan well. Show up early. And let the magic happen.
